Chiropractic portable folding table



April '1, 1941. c. F. ATWELL CHIROPRACTIC PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN I/EN 70/? CHARLES F A rn L, m m

.47 TOP/VEKS April 1,1941. c, F, -rw 2.236.770

CHIROPRACTIC PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE FiledFeb. 7; 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/VI/E/VTOP CHARLES A /47'k/LL,

Patented Apr; 1, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ornaorlmo'rro PoR'raBLE FOLDING TABLE Qharles F. Atwell, Indianapolis, Ind. .ApplicationFebruary 7, 1940, Serial No. 317,639 101mm. ,(CL128-72) I This invention relates to a portable, adjustable table that may have a wide range of uses, but is particularly adapted for use in chiropractic adjustments. An important advantage of the in.-

vention is that the table. has a varying degree of resiliency over its supporting areas and is made in a peculiar manner to permit such adjustments to be made uponthe human body in the-most effective manner. -A further important advantage of the invention is that the table, while forming a very rigid structure when in an 18X- tended condition, may be folded and transported with ease, a major advantage when calls haveto be made at the individual homes of patients.-

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description. of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the .accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a top plan view;

Fig. 3, a bottom plan view; and

Fig. 4, a side elevation of the table in folded condition ready for transportation.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

The table consists primarily of a major central section N), a foot section II and a pair of head sections [2 and H) has its forward end tapered to a front edge less in width than that of the rear end and each of the head sections I2 and I3 have their outer edges flaring outwardly and forwardly from this front edge of the section It. In other words the sides of the head sections l2 and I3 and the section it) slope inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of the table to give V-like indentations with the apex of the V being at the junction of the head sections I2 and I3 with the central section ll).

These two head sections 12 and I3 are preferably tied together on a base frame 14 which is hinged by its rear end through the hinges l5 and [6 to the front end of the section H]. A sufiicient space is left between the sections l2 and I3 so that the patient may rest his head on these two sections with his nose and mouth positioned within the space between those two sections, the patient lying in a face-down position on the table. The reduced width of the table between the head sections and the central part of the center section I 0 permits the patient to drop his arms downwardly on each side of the table.

The central section IB is provided with a pair l3. The central section of U-sl 1aped-members l1 and I8 hinged to the respective forward and rear ends of the section It on its under-side. Each of these members -l'! and I8 is so formed that it may be swung from ,the normal supporting position, as indicatediby solid lines in the several views, to the dash line positions as indicated in Fig. 3. Each member serves by its extending legs to support the top section I!) at the required distance above the floor. To fix the members I! and I8 in their supporting positions, a pair of U-shaped braces 19 and 20- respectively have their leg ends pivotally engaged with the downturned legs of the members. I1 and I8 and their cross bar parts detachably engaged under a short bar 2|, Fig. 3,

which is secured in position by any suitable means, such as a thumb nut 22. Preferably the thumb nut 22 is screw-threadedly engaged on a bolt which extends downwardly from a. cross member 23 built into the top section In and against which the members I9 and 20 are clamped. It is to be noted that the connecting parts between the legs of the braces l9 and 20 have an appreciable length so that when they are clamped against the cross member 23, there will be a tendency to stiffen those brace members and prevent torsional distortion. The braces l9 and 20 are so proportioned in length that they may assume the dash line positions, Fig. 3, when the leg members I! and I8 are folded up against the under-side of the top section Ii]. Preferably the top section I0 has a downturnecl flange 24 extending entirely therearound of sufficient depthas will permit the leg members I! and I8 and their brace members I 9 and 20 to be received entirely within that projecting flange.

The head sections l2 and [3 are adjustably supported at varying angles in respect to the general horizontal position of the mid-section [0 of the table. The means for securing this adjustment may assume a number of forms and is herein shown as consisting of a generally U-shaped support 25 having acentral cross member engaging in the notches of rack members 26 and 21 secured to the under-sides of the head sections and then having aleg extending from each end of that transverse part downwardly and rearwardly to engage the respective legs of the forward leg member II. By hinging this support member 25 to the legs of the member I1, it may likewise be swung over into the dash line position indicated in Fig. 3 when the member I! is folded under the mid-section Ill.

The foot section II is hinged by a plurality of hinges 28 to the rear end of the mid-section l0 and carries some suitable support, herein shown as consisting of a third leg member 29 similar to the members I! and I8 and having a central cross member hingedly engaging the under-side of the section I i with a leg downturned from each end thereof. This member 29 is so proportioned in relation to the dimensions of the section II that it may be folded around to assume the dash line position to lie entirely within the surrounding flange 30 extending downwardly from. they under-side of the foot section I I.

When the legs and the respective braces are folded as above indicated against their respective table parts, the head sections i2 and I3 and the foot section Il may be folded aroundtoassurne those positions indicated in Fig. 4 and, by suitable latches 3| and 32 be engaged with the mid-section NJ to form a compact unit of reduced length that may be carried. about by a handle 33 secured to the side of the downturned flange 24 of the mid-section [0. Of course, the table may be set up by reversing the operations as above indicated.

Particular attention is directed to the construction of the various sections of the table, particularly the head sections l2 and. i3 and: the mid-section 19. The head sections l2 and I3 are upholstered to have a degree of resiliency, sponge rubber 34 being herein indicated: as comprising the resilient element and covered over by any suitable surface material 35, such as leather. An important feature of the invention in addition to the tapering of the head sections !2 and i3 and the mid-section l toward their hinged junction is providing a varying degree of resiliency in the upholstery employed on the mid-section l0. In order to prevent bruising of the patient in making spinal adjustments, I provide a limited area at the front end of the mid-section ID that has considerably less resilience than that of the remainder of the table but which will adequately support the patient at the junction of the sternum and clavicles and at the same time permit a desired degree of increased resilience therebehimd. I accomplish this result by providing in the usual manner a plurality of coiled springs 35 preformed in a spring frame or individually anchored a maybe desired over the floor of the mid-section l0 and then mounting a-section of sponge rubber 31 centrally of the mid-section H1 at the forward end, preferably with at least one spring 36 on either side thereof as indicated in Fig; 2. By thus-varying the degree of resiliency over the mid-section I0, I provide the required varying degree of support of the patient where most desirable.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in the one best form as now known to me, it -isobvious-that structural changes may be employed without departing: from the spirit of the invention andI, therefore, do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond the limitations as may be imposed by the following claim.

I claim:

Ina chiropractic adjusting table, a central table section, a head. table section connecting with the central section, said two sections each having'a materially reducediwidth at their junction; said head section being bifurcated, resilient cushioning means on eachsideof the opening' through the head section, resilient cushioningcoiled spring means over said central section, and less. resilientsponge rubber cushioning means on the central section immediately adjacent its junction with said head: section,

CHARLES F. ATWELL. 

